Passage

Father John Coll Shinsky, CJM, 70 years old, passed away on July 19, 2013 at the Poway Health Care Center in Poway, California after a lingering illness. Father Shinsky was born June 6, 1943 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the son of Walter Joseph Shinsky and Mary Coll. He is survived by his sister, Joan Shinsky of Clear Water Center, Florida.

After graduation from Calvert Hall in Baltimore and following a time of discernment, he requested to join the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, The Eudists, and spent a period of probation with the Eudist community at Cardinal Dougherty High School in Buffalo, New York. He was incorporated into the Congregation of Jesus and Mary on December 2, 1966 as a Brother. From 1967 to 1971, he pursued studies at Canisius College in Buffalo, receiving a BA in English, and in 1973 a MS in English. In 1972 he received Permanent Certification in Social Studies from the State of New York. University.

Brother John began his teaching career at Cardinal Dougherty High School which was staffed by the Eudists. He taught English and History and later was the Chairperson for the History Department. In 1974 he received a MA in History at Niagara University, Niagara Falls NY and with certification in Counseling he was named the Director of Guidance at the high school until June 1979. When the Diocese of Buffalo closed Cardinal Dougherty High School, John spent over a year helping with the care of Father George Fitzgerald, CJM at Laval des Rapides in Quebec. Then continuing his ministry in the field of education, he became a History teacher and Guidance Counselor at Marian High School in the San Diego Diocese.

After celebrating the 25th anniversary of his incorporation into the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, he completed a Sabbatical Program of Studies at SAT, the School of Applied Theology of the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley, California from 1990-1991. Following this time of reflection, he requested to continue to study theology and prepare for the priesthood. In May 1993, he was awarded a Masters of Theological Studies from the Franciscan School of Theology at Berkeley.

He was ordained a deacon on January 23, 1993 by Bishop Gilbert Chavez, Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego at St. James Church in Solana Beach and began his ministry at the Newman Center at San Diego State University. Ordination to the Presbyterate was on October 23, 1993 at the Newman Center and Father John was named Assistant Director of the Newman Center at SDSU.

Soon afterward he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and eventually cut back to occasional parish ministry and he benefitted from the support of Father James Burson, CJM. With the progression of the disease, his condition forced him to give up considerable freedom and for the last five years was bedridden. He took the opportunity to indulge in his passion for reading, especially the psalms and in the field of history.

During this time, Ruthann Besterci, an Eudist Associate, served as his health care advocate, and he also appreciated her care and concern and everything she did to make his life easier by her frequent visits with strawberry milk shakes. Through his entire illness he never questioned his condition nor expressed a complaint and even considered it a gift from God.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St James Church, Solana Beach, CA on August 19th. On this day, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of St. John Eudes, and on this day we will also celebrate Father John Coll Shinsky’s joining our founder in the Lord’s presence. Then his remains will be transported to Baltimore for a Memorial Mass celebrated by Father William Rowland, CJM at the Shrine of the Little Flower (the parish Church where John received his First Communion) and internment in the family plot at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Baltimore, MD.

We offer his family and friends, the Eudist family of San Diego and the US Region, along with the entire Eudist province of North America, our most sincere condolences and invite all to keep John in their prayers.

- Fr. John Howard, CJM

Fr. Jean-Marie Dumont, CJM died in the Eudist Infirmary in Quebec on September 29, 2012. He was born in Cambelton, Nova Scotia (an Atlantic province of Canada). He was incorporated into the Eudists in September 1953. He served Christ and his Church as a Eudist for 59 years! He served for 15 years as a professor in the Eudist Province of Venezuela. After finishing additional studies in Rome, he returned to Canada where he continued to teach, to minister in parishes and to serve in diocesan positions. He also served as a chaplain and as the superior of the retirement home in Laval. After additional parish responsibilities, he retired to the provincial house in Quebec in 2006.

The Mass of Christian Burial was offered for Fr. Jean-Marie in the Chapel of the Eudist House in Quebec on October 3 at 2:00 pm. He was buried at the Eudist Cemetery in Bathurst, New Brunswick. We commend the soul of this faithful servant of the Lord to tender and loving Heart of Jesus and Mary.

Fr. Boudreault, CJMSeptember 13, 2012Fr. Edward Boudreault, CJM died on September 11, 2012. He was 96 years old. He was born on January 1916 at "les Eboulements" in a region called Charlevoix. He entered the minor seminary in Bathurst N.B. in 1930 and pursued studies leading to his incorporation in the Congregation and to his ordination to the priesthood on March 4, 1944 at the Cathedral in Quebec.He exercised several ministries within the Congregation. He was local superior and professor in our colleges in Bathurst and Church Point. He was also superior and professor in our major seminary in Charlesbourg (1958-1959). He had previously been Master of Novices from 1947 to 1949.He was the Provincial Superior from 1959 to 1968 the North American Province. Afterwards, he went to the College des Eudistes in Montreal as Superior (1968-1972). He was also Provincial Counselor (1969-1974) and General Counselor residing in province (1969-1977).

He was a member of the Eudist formation team for continuing education from 1973 to 1991. In 1975, he became the pastor of Holy Heart of Mary Parish in Quebec. He remained there until 1979. In the early 1980's, Fr. Boudreault took up residence at the Eudist Retirement Residence in Quebec and continued researching and publishing booklets on the Eudist spirituality.Our confrere had a long ministry in several fields. He will be remembered as a happy priest, deeply influenced by our founder St. John Eudes and his spirituality based on the love of the Holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary.Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 15 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of the Eudist Retirement Residence at 6125, First Avenue, Quebec. Viewing of the body on Friday, the 14th, 3:00 — 5:00 pm and 7:00 — 9:00. and on Saturday from 11:00 am.

May the Lord welcome him home with open arms.From the email announcement of Fr. Pierre Drouin, Provincial Superior

Fr. Omer LeblancJuly 1, 2012

Fr. John Howard, CJM, Superior of the US Region has just informed the Philippine community about the sudden death of Fr. Omer LeBlanc in San Diego last Saturday, June 30 at about 9:30 pm. Fr. Omer was an American who served for many years in Buffalo NY and San Diego CA. He taught at our high school in Buffalo from 1957 until it closed in 1979. He then moved to San Diego where again he became a high school teacher and eventually switched to parish ministry.

He was admitted to the hospital from the rehab facility where he was staying awaiting transfer to an assisted living establishment. Details surrounding his death are not yet known.

Please join our community in praying for the repose of his soul.

PrayerHeavenly Father, when sin and death overwhelms, and we feel defeated, afraid, confused and we don’t know what to do, strengthen our faith that we can come to you, and find peace in you through Christ our brother. Amen.